SIOUX CITY | For some people, it is unimaginable to not ride across the state of Iowa in a week. Therefore, many keep coming back year after year to the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, and they have their training plans, gear usage and riding routines down pat.
This year, the ride begins in Sioux City on July 19 and covers 468 miles to Davenport. The RAGBRAI event was created in 1973 with a route that started in Sioux City.
Some longtime bicyclists with much RAGBRAI experience have tips to share. They hit on when to leave, what to eat, how to ride among thousands of people and other tips for those coming along.
Name: Warren Dunkle
Residence: Sioux City
First Year of RAGBRAI: 1985
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How many RAGBRAIs: "I have only done about 25 complete RAGBRAIs." (Yes, he used the word "only.")
Why keep returning: "Getting to know the geography of Iowa and getting to know the towns. Just BS'ing with the people along the way and hitting the beer gardens."
Preparation advice: "The better shape you are in, the easier it is. I see a lot of miserable people on the side of the road. The more you bike (before the ride), the more you will enjoy it.
"It pays to ride with other people and it pays to ride in a lot of (bicycle) club rides, to get used to riding with a big group of people. On RAGBRAI, you are going to bike with a lot of people."
Name: Kathy Roberts
Age: 41
Residence: North Sioux City, S.D.
First Year of RAGBRAI: 1988 one day, 2007 full week.
Why keep returning: "It is the people and the hospitality that the Midwest offers. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world who come to RAGBRAI. I love going into these little towns -- 1,000, 2,000 people, and who are in awe of these people who come from everywhere."
Preparation advice:Â Carry a spare innertube in case of a flat tire, yell out your moves left or right as you ride among the crowds, and get free water in places in each town rather than buying bottled water, to save money for food items.
"The tips that I really try to instill in new people are using the proper gear, make sure your helmet fits right, don't wear underwear under your bike shorts. Nobody wants to tell you that, but if I see somebody and they've got panty lines on 'em, I'm gonna ride up next to them and say, 'Hey, you need to ditch those.' Yeah, the chafing is nasty. You will be so sore, you won't be able to walk."
Name: Jerry Neely
Age: 66
Residence: Mesa, Ariz.
First Year of RAGBRAI: 1994
How many RAGBRAIs: Roughly a dozen
Why keep returning: "The camaraderie of everybody and the beautiful Iowa scenery. I really love Iowa, I still do, all the small towns and all the friendly people."
Preparation advice: "I am usually a late-leaver in the morning. I wait for all the crowds to kind of thin out. Especially on the first day, because you are going to have so many people out there and so many new riders, it can get kind of dangerous (due to congestion).
"Hydrate, because it is hot and it is humid. Maybe try not to eat big meals, but just kind of snack and enjoy all the different (food) stands that people have set up, have a cookie, have a piece of pie."
Name: Dick Billings
Age: 55
Residence: Sioux City
First Year of RAGBRAI: 2003
How many RAGBRAIs:Â 12 consecutively
Why keep returning: "It is so much fun interacting with all the people in these towns. They open up their homes... Every year there are new experiences, and it is a good experience interacting with all of the people you run into, both from Iowa and around the world."
Preparation advice: "Wear a helmet, bike shorts and chamois lotion for your rear end.
"Take a deep breath and relax. This is a ride, not a race. Relax, and ride your own pace as much as you can. There are 20,000 people out there. You are gonna have to adapt. Realize that you are not the center of the universe. Be perceptive of your surroundings, be aware of road cracks, you could be coming up on someone going slowly."
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